BayCare Names New Polk Region Chief Nursing Officer

After a national search, BayCare has named Kristen Smith, MSN, RN, as the new Chief Nursing Officer for BayCare Polk County hospitals. She will begin in the new role on Feb. 21. 

Smith, who was the director of Patient Services at BayCare’s St. Anthony’s Hospital, will be responsible for maintaining BayCare’s high standards of quality and advancing an interdisciplinary team approach to deliver excellent care. She will work with teams across all clinical settings, including hospital operations, ambulatory services, behavioral health and others. 

In her previous role, Smith led more than 400 team members at St. Anthony’s Hospital and developed the neurology bed alert process. She also served as the chair of BayCare’s Medical- Surgical Telemetry Collaborative. 

“We’re excited to bring Smith to our Polk County hospitals and serve in this new capacity,” said Lisa Johnson, BayCare’s Chief Nursing Officer. “Her experience and strengths in interdisciplinary collaboration, team building, and communication will help enhance patient care in the community.” 

Smith has received a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Petersburg College, and a master’s degree in nursing, healthcare leadership at the Jacksonville University. She is a member of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives (FONE) and is the current president of the Tampa Bay Organization of Nurse Executives (TBONE). 

Smith has received many distinguished awards, including Team DAISY and the Service Excellence Champion, for her dedication and commitment to compassionate care.